UNITE to Face Addiction is a grassroots advocacy effort organizing people, communities, and organizations to face addiction and stand up for recovery. We have come together to let our nation know that addiction is preventable and treatable, that far too many of those affected have been incarcerated, and that people can and do get well. We are organizing a mobilization rally to be held on the National Mall in Washington, DC on October 4, 2015. Spearheaded by people who are living proof that there are real solutions to the devastation of addiction, we are partnering with local, state, and national participating organizations, as well as many Federal and State agencies.

The UNITE to Face Addiction rally is being organized by Facing Addiction Inc., a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to finding solutions to the addiction crisis, as well as an independent coalition of national, state, and local non-profit organizations.

Vision 

Bring together the best resources in the field in order to reduce the human and social costs of addiction, every year, until this public health crisis is eliminated.

Mission

  • Build a grassroots constituency to give the millions affected by addiction a voice
  • “Rebrand addiction” to create the understanding, empathy, outrage and demand urgently needed to advance solutions
  • Increase access to effective prevention, treatment and recovery programs
  • Translate scientific innovation into useful tools and services
  • Advocate for governments to implement evidence-based policies and regulatory practices to end addiction
  • Widely share the proof of long-term recovery

Our Organizing Priciples

  • We are committed to the inclusion of all diverse representations of culture and experience across all affected families, groups and communities.
  • We are committed to improving public health and safety while addressing discrimination and other harmful barriers to treatment and recovery.
  • In the spirit of bottom-up organizing, we seek to mobilize families, friends and new and existing constituencies to build, broaden, and strengthen our base.
  • We partner with a broad and expanding base of stakeholders that are able to demonstrate interest in, support for, and a shared commitment to working together in solidarity to our common cause, supporting solutions to addiction and the harms of alcohol and other drug use that are based on science and compassion, not stigma and shame.
  • In the interest of expediting this major event, we have trusted leaders to oversee the process. From these trusted leaders, we expect transparency, accountability, fair and just practices, clear and timely communication, and accurate information.
  • Our entire funding comes from selected private sources. We will not accept government funding or funding from any corporations with any real or perceived conflicts of interest to our cause.

Founding Board of Directors

  • John Silverman, Chairman: Owner, SilverSEAL Corporation – New York, NY
  • Todd Hollander, Vice Chairman: Private Investor – New York, NY
  • Terry Meyerhoff Rubenstein, Secretary: Director, Meyerhoff Family Office – Baltimore, MD
  • Charles E. Johnson: Managing Director, TANO Capital – San Francisco, CA
  • Janet Zagorin: Client Services Officer, Sidley Austin LLP – New York, NY
  • Robin Kiam Aviv: Non-Profit Advisor – New York, NY
  • R. Steven Hicks: Chairman, Capstar Partners – Austin, TX 

  • Stacie Mathewson: Founder, The Stacie Mathewson Foundation – Reno, NV

Facing Addiction Leadership Staff

  • Jim Hood: Co-Founder & Post-Event Organization Director
  • Greg Williams: Co-Founder & UNITE to Face Addiction Campaign Director
  • Johan Sorensen: Chief Strategy Officer
  • Dara Meyer: Event Director

Facing Addiction Steering Committee

Facing Addiction Advisory Committee

  • Ann Wiesner
  • Bob Lindsey
  • Cindy Testa McCullagh
  • Don Chapman
  • Don Fertman
  • Felice Axelrod
  • Hampton Shaddock
  • Jessica Teal
  • Johnny Allem
  • Josh Pegram
  • Judy Rummler
  • Kasim Sulton
  • Mary Becker
  • Peggy Cusack
  • Stacia Murphy
  • Stephanie Berger
  • Susan Broderick
  • Tom Hill
  • Tym Rourke